Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Even with Cooper Kupp back, fantasy owners shouldn't worry about Rams' Puka Nacua

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/10/23

Don't worry, fantasy football owners, the return of star Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp won't tank Puka Nacua's value.

"The idea of Puka Nacua vanishing, far from it," ESPN's Field Yates said Monday on "Fantasy Focus Live." "If he's getting anywhere close to 11 targets per game, which he got yesterday, even eight, you can feel good about starting Puka Nacua every single week."

In a 23-14 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles, Nacua (11) and Kupp (12) combined for 23 targets. The rookie out of BYU finished with seven receptions for 71 yards, one TD and 20.1 fantasy points in ESPN leagues.

THE PASS. THE CATCH. GOOD LAWD.

@NFLonFOX | 1⃣7⃣ @ASAPpuka pic.twitter.com/skb4vkNNDD
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 8, 2023

Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated he will try to keep splitting targets between the talented wideouts, which he recently called a "champagne problem," via ESPN's Sarah Barshop.

"Both did a nice job [against Philadelphia]," McVay said, per Barshop. "They're two really good football players we feel good about having, and we've got to continue to do a good job of utilizing their skills."

Additionally, Kupp views himself as a mentor for the 22-year-old WR.

"Kupp, who returned to the lineup on Sunday, has not only embraced Nacua but mentored him," wrote The Ringer's Mirin Fader. "Around the Rams facility, whenever you see Kupp, you almost always see Nacua asking a question."

The Rams rely heavily on their passing game. Through five games, they're fifth in the NFL in passing yards (1,350), and they've had 75 first downs by passing, per Pro Football Reference, second in the league. Expect the star wideouts to generate big numbers for the rest of the season.

Fantasy owners don't have to worry about Nacua's production dipping since he and Kupp have proved they can co-exist and could become one of the top WR tandems in the NFL.

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